Scientific name: Aricia artaxerxes

Brown with row of orange spots on outer wing edges, sometimes with white spot on forewing.

This small butterfly has a silvery appearance as it flies low to the ground over sheltered flowery grasslands. In Britain and mainland Europe, the pattern of wing spots is highly variable and many local races (and sub-species) have been described.

In Scotland, most individuals are of the race artaxerxes and have a characteristic white spot in the middle of the forewing (see photo). In northern England, this spot is generally dark brown or black. Similar to Brown Argus but differentiated by orange spots. The butterfly occurs mainly as small, scattered colonies and has declined in northern England.

Size and Family

Family: Blues

Size: Small

Wing Span Range (male to female): 29mm

Conservation Status

Section 41 species of principal importance under the NERC act in England